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Western powers vow to increase backing for Syrian rebels

An activist wearing a gas mask is seen in the Zamalka area, where activists say chemical weapons were used by forces loyal to President Bashar Al-Assad in the eastern suburbs of Damascus August 22, 2013.

Sep 16, 2013

PARIS - Britain, France and the United States on Monday agreed to step up their backing for rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The three powers also agreed at talks in Paris that Mr Assad would face "serious consequences" if he fails to comply with a United Nations resolution setting out a timetable for the handover of Syria's chemical weapons to international control, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.

In a slight difference of emphasis, US Secretary of State John Kerry did not use the word "serious", saying: "If Assad fails to comply with the framework, we are all agreed that there will be consequences."

Mr Fabius announced there would be a major international meeting with leaders of the Syrian National Coalition in New York next week.

"We know that in order to negotiate a political solution, there has to be a strong opposition," Mr Fabius said.

Mr Kerry also stressed that the allies were "committed to the opposition" and said Mr Assad had "lost all legitimacy to be possible to govern his country".

The signal of support for the rebels came in reaction to criticism of the chemical weapons deal rom opposition leaders who fear it could consolidate Mr Assad's grip on power.